London may boast Ontario’s greenest condos

June 08 2018

London may be home to the greenest residential tower in Ontario as Sifton Properties accelerates work on its large West 5 development.
West 5 includes a 10-storey building Sifton claims will be the most energy-efficient high rise in the province and the flagship for its 28-acre mixed-use project.
The $50-million, 115-unit apartment building will rise in the middle of the residential-commercial medium-density development that will be Ontario’s first solar-powered community.
Roof and parking canopy solar panels will produce about 750 kilowatts of power. But a superior HVAC system, lighting insulation and windows will make the tower from 70 to 80 per cent more energy efficient than a standard building, according to the company.
The apartment tower will take about 20 months to complete, and three more similar-sized residential high-rises will be constructed nearby, stated a report in the London Free Press.
West 5 will eventually have about 2,000 residential units, including townhouses and condominiums, along with commercial units. The heart of the community will be a central square for events such as movies, concerts or fitness classes.
Still in early stages, about 150 townhouses are nearing completion at West 5 and a retirement community will start next year.